Legendary Batavia coach tops Section V Best
That's only one high school story of note from this week. Athletes from Aquinas, Finney, Irondequoit and Wheatland-Chili are also making noise. All part of this week's Section Five Best.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Duke Football: 2025 Blue Devils Season Preview and Prediction
Duke Football: 2025 Blue Devils Season Preview and Prediction originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Duke exceeded expectations with a nine-win regular season in Diaz's first year as head coach. But the Blue Devils' only victory over a team that finished with a winning record came against UConn. Naturally, coach Manny Diaz and his staff sought to improve the roster further and were successful, particularly at quarterback with Darian Mensah. The schedule, with Illinois and Tulane in non-conference games plus road games at Syracuse and Clemson, will be more challenging. Duke looks like a more talented team but one that could win fewer games than a year ago — maybe just dropping to eight regular-season wins. Either way, the Duke program remains on a good foundation as a perennial bowl team just outside of the ACC's elite. Advertisement [Editor's note: This article is from Athlon Sports' 2025 College Football Preview print magazine. Order your copy today online, or pick one up at retail racks and newsstands nationwide.] More ACC team previews Boston College | California | Clemson | Florida State Georgia Tech | Louisville | Miami | North Carolina | NC State Pitt | SMU | Stanford | Syracuse | Virginia | Virginia Tech | Wake Forest Duke 2025 Season Preview and Prediction Previewing Duke's Offense for 2025 Duke took a big swing in the offseason, believing Tulane transfer Darian Mensah to be an upgrade over Maalik Murphy at quarterback. That move, combined with four returning starters on the offensive line and running back Jaquez Moore's return to health, sets the Blue Devils up to have a more explosive offense this season after they averaged 26.3 points per game in 2024. Advertisement Mensah's ability to make plays in both the running and passing game will certainly help. But who will make plays at wide receiver? Oklahoma transfer Andrel Anthony could be that guy. Que'Sean Brown and Sahmir Hagans return but must prove to be dependable as they assume larger roles in the offense. Blue Devils RB Jaquez Moore | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Previewing Duke's Defense for 2025 True to head coach Manny Diaz's reputation, the Blue Devils proved to be an attacking defense in his first season coaching the unit last season, and there's no indication that will change in 2025. After tying SMU for the ACC lead in sacks (43) and leading the league outright with 116 tackles for a loss, Duke should be solid again thanks to a strong front line, with Vincent Anthony Jr. and Wesley Williams returning along with middle linebacker Tre Freeman. Look for FCS Dartmouth transfer Josiah Green to have an impact at defensive tackle. Advertisement The secondary has a superior lockdown corner in Chandler Rivers and ball-hawking safety in Terry Moore. Utah State transfer nickelback Jaiden Francois can make plays against both the run and pass. Duke coach Manny Diaz | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Previewing Duke's Specialists for 2025 Now a senior, former walk-on placekicker Todd Pelino is adequate, although five missed field goals and two missed extra points last season give one pause. Kade Reynoldson was a top-five punter in the ACC as a freshman last season and should remain there. He's a weapon. Peyton Jones and Brown have explosiveness in the return game. There's plenty to like for Duke here. Advertisement National Ranking: 41 More ACC team previews Boston College | California | Clemson | Florida State Georgia Tech | Louisville | Miami | North Carolina | NC State Pitt | SMU | Stanford | Syracuse | Virginia | Virginia Tech | Wake Forest Related: ACC Football 2025 Predictions Related: College Football Rankings: Projecting the Top 25 Teams for 2025 Related: Athlon Sports 2025 College Football Preview Magazine Available Now This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Associated Press
16 hours ago
- Associated Press
Mavs sign No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg to rookie contract; Exum is returning, AP source says
DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks have signed No. 1 overall draft pick Cooper Flagg to his four-year rookie contract, and a person with knowledge of the agreement said Wednesday the club is bringing back guard Dante Exum on a one-year contract. The team didn't disclose details in announcing Flagg's deal. The total value of the contract for the top pick on the 2025-26 rookie wage scale is in the range of $62.7 million, with a first-year salary of about $13.8 million, according to Spotrac. Those numbers can fluctuate slightly. There are team options in the third and fourth seasons of rookie deals. The Mavericks will have to clear a roster spot to re-sign Exum, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Dallas can't yet sign the eight-year veteran. Exum, who is set for his third season with the Mavs, will help fill the void in the backcourt while Kyrie Irving recovers from a torn ACL. Flagg said during his introductory news conference last week that he intends to play in the Summer League in Las Vegas later this month. The Mavericks' Summer League opener against the Los Angeles Lakers and Bronny James is set to be nationally televised on July 10. Flagg was taken with the top pick after Dallas converted just a 1.8% chance to win the draft lottery. The 18-year-old from Duke became the fourth freshman to win The Associated Press national player of the year honors in the 64-year history of the award. Flagg led the Blue Devils to the Final Four in his only season. The 6-foot-9 forward joins a frontcourt that should include 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis and promising young center Dereck Lively II, Flagg's fellow Duke alum. The Mavs shocked the NBA by sending 25-year-old superstar Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Davis in February. Irving is another former Duke player to go first overall in the draft, in 2011. He will be out, probably until at least midseason, while recovering from a torn ACL. Irving was injured in March. ___ AP NBA:
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Hornets' Kon Knueppel asked weird questions about Duke after going No. 4
The post Hornets' Kon Knueppel asked weird questions about Duke after going No. 4 appeared first on ClutchPoints. By going to the Charlotte Hornets at No. 4 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, Kon Knueppel gets to remain in North Carolina for at least a few more years. While the Duke product might find it convenient to stay in the area, one reporter was strangely keen on how Knueppel will maintain his ties with the Blue Devils after the draft. Advertisement Upon going backstage, Knueppel was immediately asked a string of questions about Duke. Despite spending just one year in Durham, the 19-year-old was asked if he would continue his education due to his close proximity to the campus. 'Yeah, we'll see,' Knueppel said, via Alex Kennedy of the Pro Football and Sports Network. 'That's not something I was really thinking about… It wasn't something I was really thinking about, but obviously their being close, that's opened up a realm of possibility for me.' Despite Knueppel shooting down the absurd idea, the reporter doubled down on the question by saying the rookie's parents would likely want him to continue his education. Knueppel then took one question about the Hornets before being asked about Duke again and stating that he would major in history if he stayed in school. Advertisement While some players choose to pursue their education after their careers end, athletes rarely take classes while in the NBA. Any 19-year-old's parents would want to see their son receive a college degree, but the multi-million-dollar contract Knueppel will soon sign should ease any potential concerns. Hornets add to backcourt depth with Kon Knueppel Bred Penner-Imagn Images The Hornets drafting Knueppel was a slight surprise for everyone who expected the team to draft Rutgers star Ace Bailey. With Charlotte's backcourt already set between LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, many expected the team to target a forward with its pick. Instead, general manager Jeff Peterson loaded up with another sharpshooting guard. Advertisement Adding Knueppel is a headline of its own, but the Hornets shot back into the spotlight later in the first round. Just before the first night of the draft came to a close, Charlotte traded center Mark Williams for the No. 29 pick, which ended up being UConn forward Liam McNeeley. As many fans recall, the Hornets tried to deal Williams to the Los Angeles Lakers at the 2025 trade deadline. A failed physical halted that transaction and sent him back to Charlotte. Williams, who also went to Duke, will now head to the Phoenix Suns, where he will team up with fellow Blue Devil product Khaman Maluach, whom the team took with the No. 10 overall pick. Related: Hornets rumors: Charlotte labeled 'hotspot' for trade talks in Round 2 Related: Lakers fans react to Suns' wild Mark Williams trade after previous fail
